Mainstreet Waynesboro preps for Market Day

What do food, music, crafts, fun, scarecrows and four-legged friends all have in common?

The answer is Mainstreet Waynesboro’s Market Day when it returns to downtown Waynesboro with plenty of activities for people of all ages and interests.

Many regular vendors are returning and more than three dozen new food and craft vendors will be on hand for this year’s event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Waynesboro.

“We will have more than 125 food, craft and specialty vendors set up in spaces on Main Street between Potomac Street and Broad Street,” said Angela Smith, MSW’s administrative assistant. “There will be plenty of food options for people to enjoy, and they can get started on their holiday shopping as well.”

Main Street will be closed from Potomac Street to Clayton Avenue, starting at 7 a.m. Detours will reroute drivers via Potomac, Clayton and 2nd, 3rd and North streets.

Plenty of parking is available in public lots north and south of Main Street, including the Rotary Parking Lot and the lot behind Trinity United Church of Christ on North Street. For those arriving early, Trinity United Church of Christ is having a pancake breakfast beginning at 7 a.m.

A new event this year is a dog show at the new Main Street Park just east of center square. The show starts at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Registration costs $5. Forms are available at www.mainstreetwaynesboro.org or you may register the morning of the event. The lead sponsor of the dog show is the Waynesboro Veterinary Clinic. Paws & Claws grooming of Waynesboro is also a sponsor.

Saint Andrew School’s “KidZone” will feature a bounce house, a train ride, games and activities for children young and old, kid-friendly food and popular games that have previously been included as part of the school’s Oktoberfest. The school is at the corner of Broad and Main. The KidZone will also feature entertainment by local groups.

In addition to the vendors and the KidZone, Market Day will feature live music, dancing and Mad Anthony’s Chili Cook-Off, a friendly competition pitting professional and amateur chefs against each other in an attempt to find out who makes the best chili in town. A team of chili-tasting judges has been assembled, and members of the community can sample the different recipes before voting on a “People’s Choice” award winner. The lead chili cook-off sponsor is Craig Friedly Potter and Moore Insurance Agency of Waynesboro. Other chili cook-off sponsors are American Legion Post 15 and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau.

In addition to craft vendors, many businesses on Main Street will have sidewalk sales and event-day specials, offering everything from shoes, clothing, antiques, games and books to chocolates, coffee, cigars and more.

Musicians playing throughout the day include Broken Carriage from 10 to 11:30, Drew Adams from noon to 2 p.m. and Center of Gravity from 2 to 4 p.m. The Tri-State Jitterbugs retro-swing dancers are scheduled to perform on Center Square at 11:30 a.m.

As part of Waynesboro’s ongoing Destination ARTS! initiative, five curated galleries will be open during the event. Demonstrations will be offered at 42 West ARTS Co-Op and Gallery at 42 W. Main St.

Another annual favorite is the Market Day scarecrow contest. Families, schools and businesses will be making scarecrows that will hang from Main Street light poles. Cash prizes will be awarded. The scarecrow contest is sponsored by Arlene Unger of Re/Max Associated Realty Group of Waynesboro.

At 3:45 p.m., a horse-drawn carriage will transport the first beer keg for Renfrew Park’s Oktoberfest celebration west on Main Street to the American Legion Post 15, site of the event.

Lead sponsor of the 2017 Market Day is First Energy Foundation. Other major sponsors include Mrs. Alma Oyer, Cornerstone Family Dentistry of Waynesboro, Arlene Unger, American Legion Post 15 and Franklin County Visitors Bureau.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA ~ 30 Walnut St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service